Chapter 6

What’s Good for the Planet is Good for You: Organic vs. Inorganic

copyright 2008 Divine Revolution Magazine

 Our health is intrinsically connected to the health of Mother Earth. Organic agriculture helps to maintain the natural and healthy balance of our eco system. In fact, organic farmers lead the way in innovative research to lessen agriculture’s impact on our environment.  Although organic farming is not taught in standard text books, organic farmers share resources and information through journals, conferences, websites, and land grant colleges and universities. Organic farming techniques include:

·         Cover cropping

Cover crops are not grown to harvest. They are grown to improve soil, control erosion and weeds, maintain organic soil matter, reduce compaction, increase water infiltration, provide habitat for beneficial microorganisms, and increase plant diversity

·         Use of beneficial insects

Beneficial insects perform valued services like pollination and pest control

·         Crop rotation

Growing a series of dissimilar types of crops in the same space in sequential seasons which improves soil structure and fertility

·         Botanical and biological pest control

Soil organisms, beneficial insects, and birds keep pests in check. If pest populations get out of balance, organic farmers implement a variety of strategies such as the use of insect predators, mating disruption, traps, and barriers

Organic farmers build healthy soil which, in turn, produces healthy, sensational tasting plants. Many leading chefs worldwide prefer organic produce.

Since 1996 all labeled organic produce must be in compliance with U.S. organic law. Organic produce must be grown and handled according to strict procedures. Farming procedures can include absolutely no chemical input. No prohibited substances may be applied to the land for three years before yield is considered organic. Organic farms are annually inspected by a third party certifier to ensure these standards are met.

Organic soil contains lots of moist, luscious organic matter that holds moisture, and does not require excessive irrigation. This leads to very little run-off.

Chemicals used in inorganic agriculture deplete soil. Depleted soil has less organic matter and holds very little moisture, so larger amounts of water are required through irrigation. This leads to run-off soil and chemicals. According to the 2003 National Resource Inventory by the National Resource Conservation Service, soil erosion in 2003 reached 1,747,000,000 tons in the U.S. The resulting sediment loading in our water bodies leads to a declining fish population and polluted waters. Numerous studies have shown the presence of harmful agricultural chemicals in the groundwater of many U.S. States. Chemical based agriculture is our number one water polluter nationwide, and the condition of our water affects us all.

Pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides used in chemical agriculture are poisons designed to kill. In fact, many chemicals used in conventional agriculture are derived from chemicals used in chemical warfare. Chemical fertilizers are designed to promote unnatural growth. These functions do not support human life or the lives of animals with which we share our planet.

Choosing organic products today, leads to more organic choices tomorrow. Ask your local supermarket to start an organic section if they don’t already have one. Support organic farmers at your local farmer’s markets and health food stores.

Table of Contents 

Chapter 1

CAUTION:

A Sun Food Lifestyle May Cause...  6

Chapter 2   

Fruitful Fuel:

Dietary Nature of Humans  8  

Chapter 3

Return to the Garden:

Raw Food vs. Cooked Food  10 

Chapter 4

Food on the Fire:

How Does Cooking Affect Our Food?  14 

Chapter 5

Perfect Plant Protein  15

Chapter 6

What’s Good for the Planet is Good for You:

Organic vs. Inorganic  19  

Chapter 7

Entering the Garden:

Transitioning to a Sun Food Lifestyle  22

Chapter 8

Thriving in the Garden:

Simple Raw Vegan Recipes  26

·         Blissful Almond Milk  26

·         Phenomenal Orange, Carrot,&  Banana Cooler  27

·         Refreshing Mint Strawberry Lemonade  28

·         Decadent Choco-Berry Banana Shake  29

·         Energizing Sprout  & Veggie Wrap  30

·         Exquisite Stuffed Mushrooms  31

·         Creamy Pasta  32

·         Vibrant Guacamole & Cucumber Slices  33

·         Sensational Simple Salad Dressing  34

·         Lovely Avocado Cucumber Salad  35

Chapter 9

Bringing the Garden Home:

Jar Sprouting Basics  36

Chapter 10

An Ocean of Vitamins and Minerals:

Sea Vegetables 101  39

Chapter 11

We are What We Eat… Super:

An Introduction to Superfoods  42

Chapter 12

Healthful Tid-bits:  45

Positive Thinking  45

Rest  46

Exercise  46

Rebounding  47

Water  48

Spending Time in Nature  48

Fasting  49

Dry Skin Brushing  49

Cover Art by

Aidana WillowRaven

WillowRaven Illustration & Design Plus

www.WillowRavenIllustration.com

Aidana WillowRaven trained in Fine Art, Studio Design and 2D Animation at Norfolk State and Old Dominion universities.

 She began designing book covers and illustrating professionally in 2007. Her first published work was,

The Adventures of Katie-Bear: Fun Days at School, which won The Authorʼs Lounge Readerʼs Choice Best Childrenʼs Cover Illustration for May 2008.

Aidana’s company, WillowRaven Illustration & Design Plus, has grown to include children’s book covers and illustrations,

novel dust jackets, literary agent services, and pre-submission manuscript editing services.

Aidana WillowRaven resides in the southeastern U.S. with her three children.

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